Dallas Cowboys Blog

The Dallas Morning News NFL columnist Rick Gosselin joined Norm Hitzges on The Ticket’s Tuesday morning radio show. Gosselin commented on Jerry Jones’ control over the Cowboys and his impression of Rob Ryan as the team’s new defensive coordinator.

Here are the highlights.

On being convinced that Jerry Jones has loosened his grip on controlling the coaching staff hires:

“You’d hope so. And I think that was the problem with Wade Phillips. He was coaching a team with a staff built by Jerry Jones. I think the head coach has to have a say on who he hires. He needs people that are loyal to him in that head coaching office. And hopefully Garrett’s going to get the chance to put together a staff that will be loyal to him and not the owner.”

On his impressions of Rob Ryan:

“We’re going to see a different type of defense. We’re going to see a very aggressive defense that takes more chances. I think you’re going to see more swagger in this defense. And I think Rob Ryan’s going to have to find some guys that are willing to tackle. I think you build that type of defense with hard hitting. And I’m not sure this has ever been a hard hitting defense. This is a finesse team. When you bring in Rob Ryan you’re hoping to change that character. You need physicality, especially in the NFC East.”

On deciding who on the current team can play his style of defense:

“Well, they’ll have to look at nine players because Jerry has already said the cornerbacks are OK. So we got to find nine other starters that can bolster the cornerbacks and make this a competitive defense and a Super Bowl caliber defense.”

On Jerry Jones saying the team didn’t need new cornerbacks:

“I would have said go talk to Jason about the team. It’s his team. But it’s not his team, is it? … I think you’re going to see how serious this team is when they come out with their training camp schedule. If this team is in one place for the whole camp, I think they’re serious. If this becomes another dog and pony show where they’re going to 15 different places, then nothing has changed.”